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FAREWELL DISCOURSE 



S E R 31 N 



PREA C II ED 1 N PL V MOUTH, Conn., 



June §, 1 § 5 1 , 



AT THE CLOSE OF HIS MINISTRY 



first congim-;i;ational society, 



E I'll KA I M L V M A N 



\ BW II A V E \: 




IT1D BY fl i Hi M i 




Trint. 




l 852, 








3X Tsss 



To Rev. Ephraim Lyman, 

Dear Sir — You will much oblige the undersigned and many others, 

if you will favor them with a copy of your Farewell Discourse, delivered 

June 8, 1851, for publication. 

We wish to preserve the History which you have compiled with so 

much labor, for ourselves and posterity ; and the Discourse as a memento 

of our respected Pastor. Titus H. Darrow, 

John Wiard, 

Hiram B. Ives, 

Lucius Bradley, 

L. F. Comstock, 

James P. Bishop. 
Plymouth, May 18, 1852. 



Plymouth, May 18, 1852. 
Gentlemen — The Discourse which you have in such kind terms request- 
ed for publication, I herewith submit to your disposal. 

I have taken the liberty to prepare an Appendix, which I trust will also 
be acceptable to yourselves, and to the " many others" in whose behalf 
you have acted. 

Very respectfully, your friend and servant. 

Ephraim Lyman. 
Messrs. Titus H. Darrow, John Wiard, &c. 



LC Control Number 




tmp96 031707 



DISCOURSE. 



ken xv. 18 — 21, 3-2. — " Ye know, from the first day that I came into 

what manner I have been with yon al all seasons, serving the 

with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, 

which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews; and how T kept back 

nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have 

taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, 

tks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord 

■' * * And now, brethren, 1 commend you to God, and to 

the word of his grace, which \& able to build you up, and to give you an 

inheritance among all them which are sanctified." 

The (lose of a Gospel Ministry in any case is a serious 
thing, and the more so in proportion as that ministry has 
nd eventful. If it has been continued through 
a series ofy< its; if during it a generation, or half a gene- 
ration, has passed away ; if it has been amid stirring scenes; 
and momentous changes have occurred under it; if 
it has taken hold on the strongest affections of men's hearts; 

and it' it has entwined itself amid their most hallow ed as 

ciations and fondest recollections; it is not a thing to be 
passed lightly over. We cannot be true to our own natures, 
unless we pause, and look back over the past and forward 

to the future. Busy thought will be at work. The heart 
will not be still. Deep emotions will swell within our breasts, 
and will have their expression. Far be il from me, then, to 
tins! nature <>n thi^ occasion. Lei i'- give our 
mind- and hearts to their befitting thoughts and feelinj 



Most of you are familiar with the words selected for my 
text. They form a part of that most admirable and touch- 
ing discourse of Paul to the Elders of the church at Ephe- 
sus. Three years had the great Apostle been with them in 
the work of the ministry, — three years full of the most abund- 
ant and fruitful labors on his part, — three years of increase 
and spiritual profiting on theirs. But, obedient to the call of 
his Master, he was obliged to leave them, to prosecute his 
work elsewhere. Having left them however in the midst 
of great excitement and fury on the part of their enemies, 
and having been absent during several months in Greece 
and Macedonia, on his return to Jerusalem he stopped at 
Miletus, sent to Ephesus, " and called the elders of the 
church," wishing greatly to learn of their welfare, and to 
speak some words of counsel. And when they had come, 
he discoursed to them in the words of the text and con- 
text, reciting the past, and looking on to the future. 

Availing myself of his example, and in part of his very 
words, I propose to discourse on this occasion concerning 
your past history, — especially as connected with my minis- 
try, — and concerning the future, when that ministry shall 
have closed. 

Turning our thoughts backward over the past, there are 
some general historic facts to which I would call your at- 
tention, as being interesting in themselves and worthy of 
recital, and as being new to many of you, though familiar 
to some. 

It is now nearly one hundred and twelve years since 
the formation of this Church and Ecclesiastical Society. 
Precisely at what time the church was organized we 
do not know, for its Records during the first twenty- 
five years of its existence, have been lost. But it is 
probable, and almost certain, that it was formed at about 
the same time with the Society. The Records of the 



5 

Society from its commencement are all in existence and in 
our possession. From these we learn that this Ecclesias- 
tical Society was organized at a meeting duly warned tor 
the purpose, on the 20th of Nov., 1739. The meeting 
was warned by Thomas Clark, Justice of the Peace, 
on application of John Sutlifp, Eijexezer Riihasox, 
and Bakxabas Ford, inhabitants of the Third Soc. of 
Waterbury. What is now the town of Plymouth, was 
then a part of Waterbury, and was at first incorporated as a 
Society, by the name of Northbury, in the year 1739. The 
place of the above meeting was a building in what is now 
Plymouth Hollow, them used as a school house and place for 
religious meetings, and lor some time after as the Meeting 
House.* Mr. Joh.y Sittliff was Moderator, and Mr. Ear- 
.N.uas Ford was Clerk. 

At the same meeting, the Society, after being duly or- 
ganized, made choice of Mr. Samuel Todd| to be their 
Minister. By how large, or how unanimous, a vote he was 
elected, the Records do not state. In those days it was 
customary to pay the minister at the outset what was 
called " a settlement." The settlement voted Mr. Todd 
one hundred and fifty pounds, to be paid by furnishing 
him a house which should be finished by the 1st of Oct., 
1 7 1 0. t As a -alary they voted to pay him, "for the first 
two ye;irs, from the 1st of last October, one hundred 
pounds Balary per jrear, and bis firewood, and two da 
work a man from sixteen to sixty per year, one in summer 

and one in the winter, and provide comfortable house-room 
for him the first year upon our own cost.' 1 After the first 
two years were up, they were to paj him in "money, or 
public bills of credit," "twelve pence upon the pound/' 
levied upon their grand list, "and two daj s'-works a man," 

i A. Lppeadii 0. 



until such time as this tax of twelve pence should raise one 
hundred pounds per year, — silver being rated at twenty- 
three shillings per ounce, — and that was to be thenceforth 
his yearly salary. Meantime, and during his ministry, his 
firewood was to be furnished him. 

Mr. Todd gave his answer to the call in the affirmative 
on the 3d of March, 1740, and was duly ordained and 
settled on the 7th of May of that year. 

Those were the days of small things, — of the first faint 
beginning of what God has established, enlarged, and 
prospered, beyond all their thoughts. Yet we honor 
them for the foundations that they laid, and for the insti- 
tutions that they set up. "Other men labored, and ye 
are entered into their labors." Changes, great and striking, 
have taken place since those days. "Nevertheless the 
foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord 
knoweth them that are his." 

The ministry of Mr. Todd does not seem to have been 
a very quiet one. During its continuance " without were 
fightings, within were fears." The French and Indian wars 
were vexing the colonies, and making heavy drafts upon 
them for men and money. About the time of his settle- 
ment commenced also those great Revivals of Religion, under 
Edwards and his associates, which did so much for the 
salvation of the land ; and which at the same time led 
many into great extravagances, to the dishonor of religion, 
and the destruction of peace and order and unity in many 
of the churches. At first Mr. Todd did not favor these 
Revivals, but after a time, upon examination and fuller in- 
formation, he changed his sentiments, gave them his favor, 
and commenced a course of labors designed to secure a 
Revival among his own people. The result was that some 
of his people joined with^him, and received a blessing, but 
the majority, including a few who were of the " Church of 



England" persuasion, and others, among whom were some 
of the principal men both in the Church and the Society, 
opposed his doctrines and measures. Failing, however, to 
put a stop to the religious movement, they withdrew from 
the ministry of Mr. Todd, set up the Episcopal Church 
and worship, and took possession of the Meeting House, 
which they continued to occupy tili near the close of the 
uy. This was within a year or two probably from 
the organization of the Society. For I find in our Records, 
that Society Meeting on the 7th of Dec, 1742, they 

1 to hold their meetings for religious worship during 
private houses. This was their begin- 
2 of trouble and division.* For several years they con- 
tinued to meet in [\n< way, till a new house of worship 
I on this green, a little east of this 
in which we are now assembled. This green and the 
[joining were given to this Society by Caleb Hum- 
.\-i<>\. Esq., I'M- the site of the meeting house, for a 
parade ground, and for a grave yard. 

tion and completion of that house was a long 

and arduous work — tew as thej were in numbers, and 

le in means. They commenced the enterprise on the 

1 7th of Aug., 1741, by voting unanimously, kw according 

the advice and direction of the worshipful Committee ap- 

ited by the General Assembly last May*" (a Commit- 

appointed, as it would seem, to assist them in their 

trou " that we will apply ourselves to the General As- 

I) next I »■ • er, for a Committee to affix a place to 

build a meeting house upon." Those were the da] 

lurch and Stal blishments, when the General 

v must Qsulted in Ecclesiastical matters ; 

when its authority and power control- 



8 

ling than now. Slowly and tediously the work went on, 
with many hindrances and interruptions. But, the prelim- 
inaries having been at last settled, it was finally voted on 
the 3d of December, 1744, " that we would build a meet- 
ing house at the stake." The building of this house went 
on even more slowly than the arrangement of the prelimi- 
naries, till on the 22d of Sept., 1747, we find the Society 
voting permission to build Sabbath-day houses* on the 
green where the meeting house stood, and also voting " to 
clear the meeting house green by cutting brush and clear- 
ing it away." This would indicate that the time was ap- 
proaching for the commencement of public worship in the 
new house. And yet so late as Dec. 26th, 1749, we find 
them voting, " That they would do something to the meet- 
ing house, and making preparation therefor." " And they 
voted to finish the meeting house, all the lower part to the 
top of the girts, and glaze the lower part of the said house." 
It was also voted, " To have a pew upon each side of the 
pulpit, and one each side of the fore door,— -all four in num- 
ber, and the rest filled up with seats." At a meeting of 
the Society on the 24th of Jan., 1749-50, we find them 
further voting, " To ceil the meeting house up to the top 
of the girts, and over the pulpit ceil it up to the plate, and 
build the pulpit, and one pew each side the great door, 
and one pew each side the pulpit, and the Deacon's seat, 
and build the square body, and make no more pews nor 
seats this year." At a meeting of the Society, Dec. 3, 
1750, the Records state, " Elnathan Bronson is appointed 
to sweeping the meeting house ;" from which I gather that 
by this time they had begun to worship in it, or were on 
the eve of beginning to do so. It was not till Dec. 2, 1751, 
that they voted, " To finish the lower part of the meeting 

* See Appendix E. 



9 

house." On the 7th of Dee., 1753, we find them " digni- 
fying the meeting house," by voting what seats should be 
first in rank, what second, and so on. For in those days 
the matter of " rank" was one of great importance, and not 
always one easy of adjustment. At this stage of progress 
- completion, the house rested till Dec.) 1761, when 
it was voted, " That they would lay the iloor in the gallery 
of the meeting house, and ceil said house up to the plates 
and beams of said house." Two years later we find them 
still at work upon the house to finish it. Thus was that 
temple more than twenty years in building — a striking 
commentary on the state and progress of things in those 

Meantime we find the Society and Mr. Todd in fre- 
quent altercation concerning the salary — they changing his 
Qore times than Laban did Jacob's. One reason 
of this probably was the deranged state of the currency of 
the colonies, and the ever-shifting value of money. An- 
i tli* - 1 - reason probably was the weakness of the Society 
through the* division that took place soon after its forma- 
tion, and tli*' difficulty of meeting the increased expenses. 

v . Mr. 1 ». probably had good reasons for presenting 

the following communication, viz., "To the Society meet- 

i Northbury, February the 12th, A.I). 1756. Christian 

bren and friends, there are evidendy many difficulties 

, in particular with regard to my sup- 

you, tli-' which \\r have great reason to sus- 

LS 'Hi.- . uind and rise "fall the rest, the which 

md of meat humiliation and lamentation. 

tly threatening our ruin. Ye\ I think 1 can truly s 

[ am I ve you in tli.' work of the ministrj , so long 

there is a hopeful pros doing service to your 

\ I as this day you have been consulting to find 

out some method hopefully to make the afiair with regard 



10 

to my support more comfortable, and have concluded upon 
none, I would therefore propose to your consideration 
this one method, in order for my support for the time 
to come, and that is by way of free contribution ; and to 
that end to have a public contribution once in two months, 
on the Lord's day, at the close of the evening worship, to 
be gathered by the Deacons, to begin the first Sabbath in 
March next, and what any one shall see it their duty to 
hand in at other times it shall be acceptable. And if the 
Society please, you may make a grant of the ministry 
money to me. If this Society agree in and desire, record 
may be made thereof, and I will serve you by the grace of 
God, as long as God by his providence shall continue me 
in the work of the ministry among you. Requesting an 
interest in your prayers that I may be abundantly faithful 
and successful among you, from yours to serve in the order 
of the Gospel. — Samuel Todd." 

These proposals were agreed to by the Society at the 
same meeting. But this course was not long pursued. 
For only the next year a new vote was passed, fixing a 
specified amount to be paid each year for the future. And 
this latter engagement they seem to have observed strictly 
for several years. At any rate, they were ready to vote on 
the third Monday of Dec, 1763, that they "would choose 
a committee of wise and just men to hear and determine 
whether the Society hath fulfilled our covenant agreement 
with Mr. Todd." 

Matters, however, were not brought to an amicable set- 
tlement. And on the 21st of March, 1765, we find them 
voting again, " That we would, if necessity calls for it, ad- 
join with Mr. Todd in calling a council to reconcile and 
settle difficulty amongst us." The meeting at which this 
vote was passed, was adjourned to the third Monday of 
April following. At this adjourned meeting, " it was voted 



11 

and agreed by said Society, that by reason of several diffi- 
culties that subsist between this Society and our Rever- 
end Pastor, Mr. Todd, particularly on account of his sup- 
port among us, as likewise on account of Mr. Todd's 
prevailing bodily indisposition for some time past, whereby 
he is much disabled from carrying on the work of the min- 
i-try among us, as likewise his request to lay down the 
work of the ministry among us, we are willing that our 
Reverend Pastor should lay down the work of the minis- 
ry among us, and instantly desist from said work." The 
Records add, "At said meeting the above vote was agreed 
to and concurred with by me, Samuel Todd, Pastor." 

It appears also that a committee of the Association was 
appointed, to confer with the Society and Mr. Todd, and 
see it" these difficulties could be amicably settled. This 
committee consisted of Daniel Humphreys, Johx TRUM- 
BULL, BSITJ IM1B WoODBRIDGE, and Mark LiEAVEN- 
wokth. The\ reported, however, June 12th, 1764, that 
they heartily lamented at finding the difficulties and alien- 
ations between the Society and their Pastor were such, 
that they could see no hope of accommodation between 
them. And accordingly they advised the parties to call, 
BS SOOn as might be, a Council of the Consociation, to settle 

the difficulties, orto dismiss the Pastor. 

The labors of Mr. Todd in this place appear to have 

closed with the passage of the vote by the Society, upon 

the 2 1st of March, 1-764, already quoted. But it took a 

year or two longer to bring his pecuniary affairs to a final 
settlement. 

What was his character, or what was the character of 
his ministry here, Farther than appears from the facts already 

recited, I have- no means of saying. The results of his 
ministry we Know not, ~>;i\e that when bis successor com- 
menced upon his labors, there were 8i Vi uhj-st /•< n pel 



12 

belonging to this church. He and his people have all gone 
long since to their account before Him whose judgment is 
infallible and final. Let us trust that he, and many saved 
by his ministry during those days of disquietude, are now 
abiding in rest and love. 

The Second minister of this people was the Rev. An- 
drew Storrs.* He was settled Nov. 27, 1765, about a 
year and a half after the dismission of Mr. Todd. Mean- 
time several candidates had been heard : to one of whom, 
Mr. Asahel Hathaway, a formal call was extended to 
setde among them. In those days the custom was, to 
apply to the Association of Ministers for advice in the selec- 
tion of a candidate, then to invite the candidate by formal 
vote to preach on probation with a view to his settlement, 
and finally, if he gave satisfaction, to call him in due form 
to become the pastor. Mr. Storrs was chosen by "a 
universal vote" both to preach as a probationer, and to 
settle as the pastor.f 

There are none among us who remember the com- 
mencement of Mr. Storrs's ministry, and but few can 
remember him at all. He was about thirty years of age 
when he came to this place ; and this was his first place 
of settlement. His ministry appears to have been in a high 
degree peaceful and prosperous. The people, tired per- 
haps of their former contentions, and changed somewhat 
by time — that great reformer — appear to have given him 
their confidence and love, and to have looked up to him 
with respect for guidance and instruction. Though his 
ministry covered the period of the Revolutionary war, and 
of the exciting scenes that preceded and followed it, still 
its harmony was unbroken, and its usefulness marked and 
decisive. There were added to this church while under 
his care, one hundred and seventy-eight persons, a fraction 

* See Appendix F. f See Appendix G. 



13 

short of nine per year on an average. During his ministry, 
in the year 17S0, the two societies of North bury, (now 
Plymouth,) and Westbury, (now Watertown,) were set 
off from Waterbury, and incorporated as a town by the 
name of Watertown. 

The aged among us when I came to this place, by whom 
Mr. Storra was distinctly remembered, used to speak of 
him in terms of high regard. They represented him as a 
man of large and commanding stature, and of a grave, 
bland, and dignified appearance. They were ready to bear 
out the following eulogium, which I copy from die sermon 
died at his funeral by the Rev. JuDAH CHAMPION of 
Litchfield, a personal friend, and published at the expense 
of the Society : — 

"I think myself supported by truth, and acquitted in the 
consciences of all who were personally acquainted with 
your late Rev'd. Pastor; while 1 observe, he was endued 
with a good natural genius, improved by a liberal education, 
and as far as conclusions may be drawn from a series of 
fruits, refined by divine grace. Descended from a reputable 
family, his personal appearance was august and venerable; 
the eye, die surest index of the mind, betokened sensibility, 
uncommon composure, and mildness of temper. Blessed 
with a commanding voice, his delivery was graceful, solemn 

and affecting. Sound judgment, singular prudence, great 

stability and christian candor, entered deep into his char- 
p. Grave and exemplary was his deportment ; pleas- 
ing and profitable his conversation ; just and unaffected 
bis remarks. The blessedness of the peace-maker he in- 
herited — in councils was frequently improved — be was em- 
inently given to hospitality, nor was his benevolence con- 
tracted t<> narrow selt but founded upon the broad basis of 
universal love. He was uncommonly dispassionate, and 

uniformity of conduct marked his character. Bu( few of 



14 

the human race were endued with so many resplendent 
virtues, as Mr. Storrs. As a minister, he was well stud- 
ied in the scriptures ; sound in the faith ; devout in prayer 5 
with aptitude and propriety, could express himself, adapt- 
ing his addresses to circumstances ; with perspicuity he 
unfolded the great doctrines of the gospel, and powerfully 
urged the duties of Christianity, as a faithful and wise ser- 
vant meeting out to every soul its portion in due season ; 
his style nervous and majestic, he could speak with com- 
manding authority, or melting tenderness, according to the 
variety of his subject, was truly an example to the flock, 
in word, &c. A pattern of piety, patience and resignation, 
which he manifested under his long, painful indisposition, 
which at last proved mortal. Not long before his decease, 
being asked how death appeared ? He answered, I know 
in whom I have believed, if I have (as I trust that I have) 
believed aright. The thoughts of death, said he, do not 
appear terrifying, nor did he wish to live. Death made 
slow, yet continual advances, 'till he fell asleep on the sec- 
ond of March, A. D. 1785, in the fiftieth year of his age, 
and twentieth of his ministry. Having lived greatly belov- 
ed, he died equally lamented ; and quitted this benighted 
world, to the inexpressible sorrow of his disconsolate sur- 
viving partner, who is principal in this affecting scene of 
lamentation ; and to the universal grief of this church and 
congregation." 

I may also add, that in addition to his other labors, Mr. 
Storrs engaged to some extent in the preparation of 
young men for the ministry. I am not able to say how 
many studied theology with him. One of his students 
was the Rev. Joseph Vaill, w 7 ho w T as for more than fifty 
years the pastor of the church in Hadlyme, Conn. Mr. 
Storrs built and resided in the house on the north side 
of the green, which has been ever since the ministers' 



15 

home, Mr. Waterman excepted. His grave is among us, 
in the burying-ground adjacent to this house.* 

Rev. Simon Waterman! was the third minister of this 
church and society. He came from the pastoral charge of 
the Secondi Congregational Church in Wallingford, of this 
State, and \va;> settled^ here Aug. 29, 17S7, a little less 
than two and a half years from the death of Mr. Storrs. 
Some among us well remember him during the latter part 
of his ministry. He was about fifty years of age at the 
time of his settlement, but was in the full vigor of life. He 
was about the medium height, thin, very straight, active in 
his motions, and uncommonly graceful and expert when 
mounted on a horse. In appearance, character, and man- 
ner, he was quite different from his predecessors. And yet 
he was a man of many excellences. The people were well 
united in him at the time of his settlement, and he entered 
with good promise on the work of his ministry. He had 
the reputation of being a New Light Minister, and friend 
of Revivals. For this reason some, if not many, have re- 
garded him with peculiar favor. Says Dr. Rokhixs, of 
the Conn. Historical Society, in a letter to me, " It was 
con- r by Litchfield County Association 

Wr. Waterman into their body. * * He was 
10 able support of orthodoxy; He preached 
the funeral sermon on the death of the Rev. John Turn- 
bull, 1787, which may be found in bound volumes 
pamphlets, in Conn. Jli-t. Soc. * At the funeral o[ Dr. 
Bellamy there was t collection of ministers, and Mr, 

W \ i bumah walked with the widow. Black gloves were 

:i." This latter facl 1 record as of historic value — as 
an index of the times. I have said that Mr. W lterm w 

red on the work of the ministry here with good prom- 
gathering souls into the church 

brist was very considerable. Says the Rev. Li urn 



16 

Hart, in a sermon preached in 1830, in which he gives 
a brief sketch of the several ministers of this parish. 

" He came here to do good : and, on the first Sabbath 
after his installation, the state of piety in this place being 
undoubtedly very low, he prevailed upon the members of 
the church solemnly to renew their covenant with one 
another and with God. While the covenant and the con- 
fession of faith were read, the members stood up before 
the congregation, and thus testified afresh their assent. 
During his ministry there was one powerful revival, and 
two or three other less important seasons of ingathering 
into the kingdom of God. The revival first mentioned 
took place in 1798, and 1799 ; and an interesting account 
of its character and effects was drawn up by Mr. Water- 
man, and inserted in one of the early volumes of the Conn. 
Evangelical Magazine. During his ministry, a period of 
something more than twenty-two years, there were re- 
ceived into this church two hundred and twenty mem- 
bers, one hundred and seventy-one of them by profession, 
and forty-nine by recommendation from other churches.** 
From an acquaintance with him for about three years, I 
was led to regard him as having been a man of active 
habits, a good preacher, and truly devoted to the spiritual 
interests of his people. That he had failings he himself 
would not have denied. And it is possible that during 
the latter part of his ministry, and in his old age, too, 
when petulance is apt to show itself if ever, some pecuni- 
ary embarrassments may have operated to sour his feel- 
ings, to an extent of which he himself was not fully con- 
scious. Few ministers, however, at his advanced period 
of life, were more ready to sally forth in fair weather and 
foul, by day and by night, in the discharge of parochial 
duty. If he was somewhat tenacious of his own opinion, 
and his own wav, this, instead of resulting fr 



17 

state of heart, was, I trust, nothing more than a constitu- 
tional trait, which is just as likely to exist in holy as in 
unholy men." 

Most of the period of Mr, Waterman's ministry was 
one of high political excitement. It will be noticed that 
he commenced his labors here about the time of the adop- 
tion of the new constitution of the United States. He 
closed his labors about the time that Mr. Jeffersox closed 
his administration. Mr. Waterman was a decided Fed- 
eralist, and took a deep interest in the politics of the day, 
— too deep an interest as some thought. For this reason, 
among others, some who were influential members of the 
Society became disaffected, and, leaving this, joined the 
Episcopal. There also grew up a more general disaffec- 
tion, which resulted in his dismission, on the 15th of Nov., 
1809, in the twenty-third year of his ministry, and the 
nty-third of his life. But he continued to reside here* 
most of the time till his death. lie died Nov. 19, 1813; 
while on a visit to New York, in the seventy-seventh year 
of his age. It is remarkable that on one Sabbath only 
during his mini-try had sickness prevented his preaching. 
His remainsf were brought to Plymouth, and now lie in- 
terred in the same grave-yard with those of his prede< 
sor. A funeral Bermon was preached by Rev. Jonathan 
Milleb of Burlington, but was never published. 

During his ministry, after a wrangling controversy, pro- 
tracted during nearly ten years, concerning the siteofa 
new bouse, the Third Meeting House of this Society i 
built. It wa- finished and opened for worship in 1792. 
Ik locution was partly on the ground covered by our pre- 

ln 1795 the Societj ofNorthbury \\;i- incorporated asa 
tow n by the name pf Plymouth. 

* s. ' - Vppendb M 



18 

The Fourth Minister of this people was the Rev. Lfther 
Hart.* He was ordained and settled! on the 5th of 
September, 1810, in the twenty -eighth year of his age. 
Some of you remember him distinctly, as he was when he 
came to reside and labor among you, and many more re- 
member him as he was during the last portion of his life 
and labors. Not a few of you grew up from childhood to 
maturity under his ministry. It cannot be needful, there- 
fore, that I should speak of him particularly, for the benefit 
of those who knew him so well. For the instruction 
of others 1 ought, however, to say something.- — It was 
not my privilege to know him personally, nor ever to meet 
him in society, though we were natives of the same town. 
I distinctly recollect to have seen and heard him once 
in the pulpit. It was at a Protracted Meeting in Water- 
town, in the fall of 1831, on which occasion he held a 
large audience in close attention through the service. But 
though I had not the pleasure of a personal acquaint- 
ance, I have been taught in many ways, and by many 
teachers, to honor him ; and I, in common with you all, 
hold his name and his memory as sacred. A good man, 
a true man, a man of wisdom and of power, he dwelt 
among you, to bless you by his teachings and his exam- 
ple. He came here in the face of an opposition of fifteen 
members of his parish who voted against his settlement, 
and most of them respectable and influential people. But 
by his singularly happy manner of meeting and overcom- 
ing opposition, and by his power of securing the confi- 
dence and love of all men who were capable of discerning 
and appreciating true worth, he was enabled to attach 
most, or all of them to himself in friendship. And still, 
his was not altogether a peaceful ministry. There were 
some bitter dissensions and strifes in his day ; and some- 
times he was treated with much rudeness, and made the 

" : - Sop Appendix N\ f See Appendix 0. 



19 

object of suspicion, calumny, and wrong. There were 
times when he seriously thought he might have to leave 
his people, and " flee to another city." There were times 
when he had to mourn in bitterness of spirit, over those 
whom he could not guide into the ways of wisdpm and 
peace. Like most true prophets, his life while he lived was 
less honored by many, than his memory after his death. 
The middle part of Mr. Hart's ministry was during the 

Ut Revivals of 1820 and 1^21. and the latter part of 
it was during the still more extended Revivals of 18:31, 2 
and 3. In those years this church and people shared 
jely the Divine favor, and many were added to the Lord. 
Mr. Hart took a deep Interest in these seasons of religious 
excitement and ingathering ; and he was wise, devoted 
and abundant in his labors during them. He was often 
called away from home to labor in Revivals in other 
places. Everywhere, and at all times, was he welcome, — 

'•ially -o at such times. He enjoyed to an unusual 
degree the respect of the churches, and the confidence 
and love of the mini-try. A friend of education, he was 
a liberal patron oi Educational Institutions — particularly of 
the honored College at New Haven, of which lie was a 

luate, and of which he was for several years a Fellow. 
Every benevolent and christian enterprise claimed him as 
a friend* and received his cordial support Under his min- 
istry this church and society continually increased, and 

\ to be among the largest and ablest in the State. 
The number of persons added to this church during his 
ministry was four hundred mid tieetity-five. Of tb 
teventy-two were by letter, and three hundred mid fifty- 
three bv profession. Bui if we add to the number received 
by i a during his life, thirty-five more received in 

the same waj after hi- drath ami previouslj to any settle- 
ment, mosl or all of whom became hopefully pious under 
his ministry, we shall have as the sum total four hundred 



20 

and sixty ; seventy-two by letter, and three hundred and 
eighty -eight by profession. It will be remembered by 
many, that he died in the midst of a Revival among his 
people, April 25, 1834, in the twenty -fourth year of his 
ministry, and the fifty-first of his age. His grave* is 
among us, near the graves of Storrs and Waterman. 
Few ministers die more lamented than the beloved Hart. 
Few leave behind them a happier influence and a better 
name. His funeral was attended by a large concourse of 
sorrowing friends, — ministers and others. The funeral 
sermon was preached by Rev. Noah Porter, D. D., of 
Farmington ; and, somewhat enlarged, was published in 
the Quarterly Christian Spectator, for Sept., 1834. To this 
very candid and faithful sketch of the life and character of 
Mr. Hart, I would refer all who may wish to refresh 
their memories, or to gather additional facts. 

For a year and a half after the death of Mr. Hart, this 
parish remained without a Pastor. At first there was a 
hopeful prospect that it would be soon settled again in har- 
mony and prosperity under another minister. But this was 
not to be realized. The period was one of candidating, 
and while many were heard, and had their admirers, the 
parish could not unite upon any, except the first one, the 
late Rev. Wm. B. Lewis, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and he did 
not see fit to accept their call. Difference and division 
seemed to be the order of things, and at one time a portion 
of the people went so far as to lay their plans for a division 
of the Church and Society, and to set their stake for an- 
other meeting house. This project, however, was tempo- 
rarily abandoned, and all concluded to go on for a time 
longer in union. 

I came here directly from the Theologigal Seminary 
at New Haven, in Aug. 1835.f I had been licensed to 
preach only a little more than two months, and came 

* See Appendix P. f Bee Appendix Q. 



21 

simply to supply for a few weeks, till another person 
who was engaged to preach as a candidate should be 
through with a previous engagement elsewhere. I came 
in no sense as a candidate — neither so regarding myself, 
nor being so regarded by the people. I had entirely 
other plans than those of a settlement in New England. 
I had for years been devoted in my purposes to a mis- 
sionary work. For these reasons I was heard without 
prejudice by all, and all seemed to regard me with favor. 
-Meantime, the regularly engaged candidate sent word that 
he could not come, and that some other must be sought. 
Attention was thus turned to me. And though I was dis- 
posed to leave at once, without listening for a moment 
to the idea of remaining as a candidate, 1 was prevailed 
upon to remain for a Sabbath or two, and finally, the Lord 
would break up ail my plans, turn me about, and retain 
me here, my wishes and expectations and most cherished 
purposes to the contrary notwithstanding. 

The Church and Society were pleased, by unanimous 
votes, to give me a call to remain as their Pastor, and I 
consented. So it is, "Man's heart deviseth his way ; but 
the Lord directeth hi- steps." I was ordained Oct. 28th, 
1835,* in the twenty-sixth year of my life. Young, and 
inexperienced, and having no prepared sermons in ad- 
vance, it was ;i hard task For me to enter into the place of 
on.- ripe in experience, and scholarship. And very 

near was I to fainting ami failing at the very outset 0! 
von can never knew the agony I at times endured during 
the first year of my ministry, from a sense of my inca- 
pacity and my leanness. Many a time did I envy the 
birds and beasts and even creeping things, as happier than 
I. Many ;i time did I long to hide my head in mortifica- 
tion and bitterness from the Bight of my people. But God 
sustained me, and some of my people could sympathize 

* See App I- ■ 



22 

with my youth and inexperience, and I was carried 
through the dreadful ordeal of those first twelve months. 
Then came the davs of division and strife in regard to 
breaking up the old parish, and forming new ones. I shall 
not go much into those matters. Suffice it to say, that 
though a most determined effort was made to vote away 
the Fund of the Society, to drive or frighten or flatter me 
away, and to remove the old foundations and land -marks, 
and though, in the course of that second year I myself was 
brought by a member of the Church before the Associa- 
tion and tried during two days for scandal ; yet all did not 
succeed. That was a year of strife and trial truly, but 
though two new parishes were formed which still continue, 
and which we trust the Lord will bless in years to come, 
yet the old Church and Society survived, and I remained 
their Pastor. After the division which was finally effected 
in the fall of 1837, we fell into another strife in regard to 
the appointment of Deacons, and I greatly feared for a 
time that we should split up still further. We were able, 
however, to get through that strait better than the fears of 
many had anticipated. 

At the same time efforts were made to erect a new and 
more desirable house of worship. And I am happy to 
record that in these efforts we were for the most part en- 
tirely united, and on the 21st of Nov., 1838, we took pos- 
session of this house, and dedicated it to Almighty God. 

During those three years I had been gaining strength 
and confidence in the school of outward trial and inward 
suffering. The last six months of those years, I was en- 
tirely for four months, and partly for the other two, laid 
aside from preaching, by an attack of Bronchitis. But I 
was able to resume my labors again fully, in connection 
with our entering the new place of worship, and from that 
time to this I have gone on laboring without interruption 
from sickness or infirmity. Those also were years during 



23 

which this parish enjoyed no little of Divine influence, and 
not a few were added to the Lord. A season of religious 
interest, of a silent and gentle nature, commenced with my 
settlement, and continued nearly a year. About twenty-five 
hopeful conversions were the fruits, most of whose subjects 
were brought into this church. Almost at once also upon 
the division of the parish, commenced another, and more 
powerful work of grace ; which was not only enjoyed by 
US, but was general and powerful through the three Con- 
gregational parishes. As the fruits of that work about 
thirty were gathered into this church. 

From the fall of 1838, to the winter and spring of 
1" 12, nothing of a very marked character in the parish 
is to be recorded, save that the subject of Abolition, or 
Anti-Slavery, which for several years preceding had been 
quite prominent among us, and had made no little ex- 
citement, was still uppermost with some, and continued to 
create more or less unpleasant sensation. I ought to re- 
cord here, however, that though this subject has received 
much attention, and at times, and with some, more than 
its due proportion ; and though it has been the occasion 
of coldness and alienation on the part of some of my 

I I.' toward me, from nearly the commencement of my 

ministry, still we have had no violent outbreak: but for 

" part hare been able to keep the peace. J have 

nd uncompromisingly an opposer of slavery. 
In the early stages of the Anti-Slavery Societies 1 took 
part in forming them, and was a member of one in New 
Haven, and of the Am. Socu ty ho New-York. Bui in the 
course of one or two years observation and experience, 
I wajs satisfied thai there was another spirit at work with 
spirit of ili«- ( rospel in tl je.S aid that the evil 

nas gaining the ascendancy ami control. This led mo, 

before 1 came to Plymouth, to abandon the Anti-Sla 



24 

organizations, but I still deeply sympathized with what was 
good in them, as I ever have. The Anti-Slavery struggles 
have been in many respects manly and christian ; and a 
good work has been done. They were most unhappy, 
nevertheless, in that they fell under the management of 
men, part of whom lacked the wisdom, and part the virtue, 
to manage them well. Past experience, I hope, will give 
wisdom, both to the friends of these operations, and to 
those who with scarcely more wisdom or right spirit openly 
opposed them. There has been a right true ground on 
which all ought to have stood ; and there has been a right 
true spirit with which all ought to have set themselves to- 
gether against the huge overshadowing curse of American 
slavery. 

The first several years of my ministry were years also 
in which a good work was done in the cause of Tem- 
perance. It was my honor to make the first public 
speech here in favor of Total Abstinence from all intoxi- 
cating drinks, and to bring forward the first Total Ab- 
stinence Pledge — one that I have ever been true to keep, 
and that I hope to keep inviolate till I die. This was in 
the winter of 1835-6. The old pledge had been intro- 
duced years before, and the old Society was in existence 
when I came here. The new doctrine and pledge at first 
frightened some, but they soon gained the general favor 
in this parish, and the open subscription of large numbers. 
And while I am on this strain of self-glorying, I will state 
also, that I made the first " Washingtonian" speech in 
this place, and set the " Washingtonian" movement on 
foot — a movement which was productive of much good, 
and which never here fell into those excesses and that con- 
tempt into which it fell in some places. I believe I am 
the last public speaker, also, who has addressed you on 
the Temperance subject. May God ever give me a 



25 

tongue to advocate this cause. With the " Division of the 
Sons of Temperance' 1 I have never joined ; not because 
I do not approve of their general objects, but because I 
must say frankly I have never seen the wisdom and necessity 
of their organization and mode of compassing their ends. 
Yet I have never violently or unkindly opposed them. 
My motto has been, " Live, and let live." 

In the winter and spring and summer of 1842, this 
parish enjoyed a third season of religious awakening ; — 
one of a most delightful character — one in which the 
church very greatly participated — and one which for along 
time left a most lovely and hallowed influence behind. 
About forty persons were united to this church, as for the 
most part the fruits of that Revival. Scarce any labor 
from abroad was called in ; and the Pastor had but a few 
more meetings than usual. But the brethren and si- 
had an humble and praying spirit, and were active and 
kind In their labors — cooperating with their Pastor in con- 
fidence and love — and the work went on. All were the 
gainers, and none suffered loss, save those who did not 
come under the Divine influence with submission and 
penitence. It was one of the purest and most precious 
Revivals with which 1 have ever been acquainted. May 
y many like it. 

The winter of 1842-3, was characterized by a wild 
tempest of Millerism, which, greatly to my astonishment 
and mortification, came on during my absence from home 

for a week; and which swept over us in fury. I was 
and mortified that the preachers of that sense- 
less delusion should have been admitted to our Confer- 
ence room: and that SO many of my people should nave 
been carried so far away by them. But happily, the 
temped was soon i tsi ; and though some 

lined, and do n i lain to thi> day, nearly all who were 
i 



26 

caught up by it, were glad again to stand in their right 
minds upon the earth — humbler and wiser for their short 
experience of foil)'. And I hope this will prove a good 
lesson to them and to all — teaching them no more to be 
carried away with " diverse and strange doctrines," and by 
unlearned and unstable preachers. 

From the spring of 1843 till the winter of 1845-6, 
nothing specially worth recording occurred. There were 
some who were not satisfied with me as their Pastor, as 
there had been from the beginning, and as there have 
been to the present time. I was well aware that some 
would have been gratified by my dismission ; and that 
such an event was spoken of at times with desire ; yea, 
that some labored to secure it. But still, there was not 
much of outward disrespect or hostility, and we went on 
for the most part in peace and quietness. But in the win- 
ter of 1845-6 a new element of disaffection came into the 
parish and began to work, which has not ceased to work 
till its appropriate results are now come about. There 
was also during that winter a most unhappy business 
failure, which till the present time has had connected 
with it disastrous consequences of the most serious kind. 
I shall not dwell upon this. You know to what I refer ; 
and the whole is painfully fresh in the minds of all. I 
will only say, that this matter, from first to last, in its sun- 
dering of old ties of affection, in its destruction of confi- 
dence, in its excitement in families, in the church, in the 
parish, and through the neighborhood, was more truly 
grievous to me than anything beside that has befallen me 
or this parish in the whole course of my ministry, xlnd 
this has done more than any other one thing to bring 
about my dismission ; for it undermined me in the regard 
of some so entirely, and of various others to such an ex- 
tent, and so prepared the way for other things that have 



since arisen to gather strength and make a stand ; that I 
must regard it as the chief procuring cause of what is this 
day transpiring. I do not say this in unkindness toward 
any individual, but as the statement of a very important 
fact in our history. In connection with this, it should also 
be recorded that as one of the results of this unhappy 
matter, this church itself was put on trial by one of its 
members, upon the charge of scandal, and in Feb., 1850, 
had to answer for itself before the Consociation. But it 
came off uneondemned, as did its Pastor when put on 
trial before the Association in 1837. It is worthy of note 
likewise, that during the winter and spring of 1850, and 
during the very time that the church was on trial for scan- 
dal, the blessing of God was upon us, turning the hearts 
of the youth and children to himself, and gathering a pre- 
cious company of them as we trust into his fold. This 
work ral in the parish. The church even, 

as a body, did not awake and enter into it. But it w 
precious work. And as among its fruits some tiff ecu were 
added to the church. Had there been the confidence and 
and cooperation among ourselves my brethren, that 
there should have been, I cannot but think there might 
have been a work at that time of great power; and this 
church might have been greatly enlarged and strength- 
l of my bitterest griefs was, that 1 could not 
ige and enlist my church — not even the parents 
some of the anxious children who were coming from week 
to week to receive from me instruction. 

And no* I come to the last winter and spring. Hut 
what shall I say ! Perhaps I had best be silent Y- s, I will 
- lent : fori am ashamed of what has been done among 
us by some of you. I had not expected it. I i\(^ not wish 
to dwell upon it. May ( < trgive them the wrong they 
have dune me, without so much as the shadow of a cause, 



28 

Thus have I been among you for nearly sixteen years. 
I have undergone in these years great changes in my- 
self — I hope for the better. I have endured great trials — 
but I trust to some profit. I have seen great changes in 
my church and parish — some for evil and some for good. 
The most delightful changes have been those consisting in 
" souls renewed, and sins forgiven." Many among you I 
count as my spiritual children. And many who have been 
converted unto God during my ministry, are now bear- 
ing the fruits of piety in other places. The whole num- 
ber added to this church since I came among you is 
one hundred and eighty-eight, a number larger than that of 
all the present members of this church resident among us. 
Of these sixty-three were received by letter, and one hun- 
dred and twenty-five on profession. Comparing now the 
numbers received during my ministry, with the numbers 
received during the ministry of my predecessors, we find 
that during fifteen and a half years more than twice as 
many have been added, as belonged to the church at the 
close of Mr. Todd's ministry of twenty-four years. Ten 
more have been added than during the whole nineteen 
and a half years of Mr. Storr's ministry : tiventy-four more 
than during the first sixteen years of Mr. Waterman's, 
during which years the parish was probably quite as large, 
if not considerably larger, than during the last fourteen 
years of mine. And we find that the number falls only 
forty-three below that of the first fifteen years of Mr. 
Hart's ministry, at which time the parish w T as far larger 
and more populous than it has been during mine. I state 
these facts that they may speak for themselves in regard 
to the comparative success of my ministry in the increase 
and establishment of this church of Christ. What might 
have been accomplished had we all been as faithful as we 
ought God only can tell. I feel that we all have more 
ground for humiliation before God, than for boasting. 



29 

During my ministry there have died within this parish 
one hundred and fifty-two persons. Of these four were 
over ninety years o( aire, twenty-two were over eighty 
years, and forty-one were over seventy During this 

time only four have died between the ages of four and 

en — a striking fact. I have married here in Plvmouth 

> 

just eighty couples. 

Though I can hardly be classed as yet among the 
fathers in the ministry, and though I have not been among 
you many years ; still I have seen, with only two excep- 
tions, every church of our denomination in Litchfield 
county, forty-two in all, made vacant of an officiating 
Pastor. I am the oldest officiating Pastor, dating from 
the time of settlement, in all these churches, with only 
two exceptions — one in our Consociation — Rev. Mr. 
Hayes of Washington, and one in the North, Rer. 
Mr. Eldridge of Norfolk. Most of these churches have 
settled their second, not a few their third, and some 
their fourth minister since I came among you. If now 
also we take Plymouth as the i . and describe a cir- 

cle of forty miles in diameter, there are in all this region, 
only six officiating ministers of our denomination, who 

tntinuously where they now are lo 
than I bare. And the reason of this is not that death re- 
the ministry so rapidly from their places; but that 
the chu: 3 i 1 the ministry, one or both, an g E n to 
I : commentary on the insta- 

bility of oi. ical relation-. They -how to rnv 

mind, that uv haw not only d< from the stead 

our fathers, but from that order and steadfastness 
oft!. Q jpel upon which are made dependent our ti 

ity and honor. At this | ffU out 

of the iumhtn churches within the limits 

ciat Stitute of settled 1' ' v is 



30 

not the order of the Gospel. This is something to be pon- 
dered by the churches with much seriousness, and deep 
humility. The great leading cause of these dismissions is 
a restless spirit, and a readiness to cherish an unreasonable 
and unchristian disaffection. The spirit of love and of 
peace would put an end to them speedily. 

After what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 
from the first day that I came into Plymouth, ye know. 
With what humility of mind I have served the Lord, ye 
know. With how many tears and trials which have be- 
fallen me by the lying in wait of those who have been my 
opposers, ye also know in part. Ye know how I have kept 
back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed 
you, and have taught you publicly and from house to house, 
testifying to all repentance toward God, and faith toward 
our Lord Jesus Christ. I have coveted no man's silver 
or gold. Honestly have I tried to walk among you, in 
the faithful discharge of all my duties as a man, a chris- 
tian, and a christian minister. May God forgive me 
wherein I have come short, through his abounding grace 
in Jesus Christ my Lord. 

Many things have been said against me. I have been 
the object of much suspicion. Mountains of opposition 
have I had to encounter. But it has ever been a lead- 
ing principle with me not to run after my character and 
reputation over much, but while faithfully doing my duty, to 
leave them to the care of God and of time. Nor am I now 
going into any defense of myself. My past life, and my 
present character, as judged of by all honest minds, are 
my best and my only defense. Much less am I now, in clo- 
sing my ministry, about to inflict any abuse, or severe re- 
marks, upon any who have given me occasion of offense. 
For this I have no heart. I leave them with their own 
consciences and with God — praying that we all may be 



31 

forgiven our manifold offenses, of whatever sort they are — 
praying also that their lack of confidence, love and kind- 
ness toward me, may be made up by their more abundant 
confidence, love and kindness toward whomsoever the 
Lord shall send to be my successor. To those who have 
honored me with their love and kindly sympathy, I 
will express again my deep gratitude and hearty thanks. 
The Lord reward them. 

And now, looking over the history that I have given 
you, we find that this church and society have been in ex- 
istence between one hundred and eleven and one hundred 
and twelve years. I am their fifth settled minister. Two 
of these ministers have died here, while Pastors, in the 
midst of life and usefulness. Three have been dismissed, 
one in old age, the other two in the prime of life. The 
first was dismissed, the second died, the third was dis- 
ced, the fourth died ; and now the fifth is dismissed. I 
hope the next, after a long and useful life, will make his 
grave among you. The first lies buried in New Hamp- 
shire, the next three lie buried among you. Where the 
fifth will lie God knoweth — no man yet knows of his sepul- 
cher, iic of these ministers was settled here over 

nty-four years, only one, till myself, less than about 
nineteen and a half years. Only about six years, from their 

inization, have this Church and Society been without a 

tor. Twice has this parish been divided with 
violence into separate branches, the first time was about 
the year 17 11 or,2j the last time in 1837. 
This is the fourth house of public- worship in which this 
pie has worshipped Jehovah. The first \\a> in what is 
now Plymouth Hollow, the last three have been eret 
on this green. 

The number <>; Dfl connected with this church 

from the aing until now, so far as our Rn i ! - inform 



32 

us, is eleven hundred and thirty-eight. But if our Re- 
cords from the beginning had been kept complete, we 
should probably find the number amounting to nearer 
twelve hundred persons. 

The members of this church, so far as I, after no little 
research and investigation for several months, have been 
able to ascertain, may be set down as follows. Total num- 
ber of church members, two hundred and fourteen. Of 
these one hundred and sixty-seven are resident among us, 
and forty-seven are non-residents. Of the sum total 
seventy- three are males, and one hundred and forty-one 
are females. 

The number of families that may be reckoned as be- 
longing to this parish, or as under the watch and care of 
its Pastor, is one hundred and ten, embraciag about four 
hundred and forty souls. Thus much for the past and the 
present. 

And now, in closing, I must say one word in regard to 
the future. To the people of God I would say, live as be- 
cometh saints ; walk in love ; seek first the kingdom of 
God and his righteousness : And the God of peace and 
love be with you. We part now, but we hope to meet in 
heaven, when our pilgrimage below is ended. To those 
who are not the people of God, I would once more hold 
out the offer of life, and bring the Gospel of salvation. 
Long and earnestly have I watched for your souls. Would 
God my parting message might reach your hearts. I go 
my way : but I charge you to remember and meet me at 
the Judgment as the followers of the Lamb. To one and 
all, Farewell. " I commend you to God, and to the word 
of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you 
an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." 



APPENDIX. 



A. This house stood on what was afterwards called " Church 
Knoll'' — a slight elevation that has since been levelled. Its 
site is now occupied by the district school house in the Plymouth 
Hollow village. It was built by subscription. 

B. From the Hon. Eliat, Todd Foot, late of Jamestown, 
N. Y., now residing and practicing medicine in New Haven, 
Conn., a great-grandson of Mr. Todd, and a gentleman who has 
spared no pains nor expense in collecting facts concerning his 
ancestry, I learn these facts. Rev. SAMUEL Todd was the son 
of Samuel Todd of New Haven, Conn., and of Mercy Todd 
his wife, daughter of Peter Evans of Northiield, Conn. lie 

born in North Haven, Conn., in 1719. At the age of/; 
he was graduated at Yale College, in the class of 1734. At the 
age of twenty he was settled in Plymouth, Conn., where he was 
Pastor nearly twenty-four years. Emm Plymouth he removed 
to Lanesboro, Mass., where he labored about two yeans; thence 
to Adam-. Mass., and originated the first Congregational church 
there in 1766, and was its Pastor till 177 s . Bewasa strong 
Whif <r a brief period was a chaplain in the Continental 

arm;. Aution. lie next resided for a short time with 

.. and then removed to reside with his 
children at Orford, N. II., about L782, and united with the 
church in that place during thai year. Bere he resided till his 
death, preaching in the new settlements .ally, when health 

and declining years would permit Be died June 10, 1789, M, 
70. 1 [is remains lie buried in < hri is in 

good preservation above them. 

Mr. I . -scs.mmI a mind <.»!' np»re than ordinary 

of character. II nti- 

relical The revivali 
17^» he warmly approved, and exerted himnftlf to prom 

Be '. Maine, 

who, in a letter dated M.' • L6, 1841 



34 

lection of my grandfather, the Key. Samuel Todd : he was a 
clergyman of much note. I shall not forget how he used to 
shake his large white wig, when any of my good mother's little 
flock made a mistake in the old Westminster Catechism. 7 ' 

The wife of Mr. Todd was Mercy Evans of North Haven. 
Their children, so far as known, were — ■ 

Mary, born in Northbury, Sept. 11, 1742 — who married Obed 
Foot of Northbury, Dec. 3, 1761. Mr. Foot dying in 1797, 
on the 26th of March, 1798, she married the Rev. Jonathan 
Leavitt of Heath, Mass., a native of Suffield, Conn., in 1731, 
and a graduate of Yale College in 1758. She was his third wife. 
Eev. Mr. Leavitt died Sept. 9, 1802, after which she resided 
with her son-in-law Judge Goodale of Barnstable, Mass., where 
she died Sept. 14, 1804, M. 62. Her remains were taken to 
Gill, Mass., and interred by the side of her first husband, in the 
ancient burying-ground, about one mile from the meeting house 
in that town. 

Elial ; born in Northbury, 1747. He became a physician in 
Adams, Mass., and removed to Pawlet, Yt., where he died Feb. 
1st, 1793, M. 46. 

Alathea — who married Israel Jones of Adams, Mass., 
1767, with whom she lived fifty-nine years, and by whom she 
had nine children. Mr. Jones was a prominent man. 

Samuel, born in Northbury, 1754. He was married, had a 
family, and resided at Orford, N. H., where he died Nov. 6, 1806. 

Alfred — who married a Lathrop of Norwich, Conn. 

Elizabeth, who married the Hon. Jonathan Wilcox, a dis- 
tinguished lawyer, and Eepresentative in Congress from New 
Hampshire, by whom she had a large family. 

Lucy, who married a Duncan, but died without issue. She 
was twin sister to 

Chloe, who married Dr. Page, a distinguished Physician at 
Orford, N. H. 

Irene, who married a Southmayd. 

, another daughter, who married a "Wright. 

C This house stood a little northwest of the old meeting 
house in the Hollow, part- way up the hill, on the old road leading 
north, near where a house now stands at the termination of that 
road. Afterwards Mr. Todd moved into this village, and lived 
in the south street, in a house standing in what is now the gar- 
den of Mr. Ransom Shelton. 



35 

D. It is not unworthy of mention, that in the year 1744, Mr. 
Todd, together with the Rev. Messrs. HUMPHREYS of Derby, 
and Leavenworth of Waterbury, was suspended by the New 
Haven Association from all associational communion, for assist- 
ing in the ordination of Rev. Jonathan Lee of Salisbury, be- 
cause Mr. Lee and his church had adopted the Cambridge Plat- 
form, and were not on the constitutional establishment of the 
colony/- The moving cause of this course on the part oi' the 
N . Haven Association, was its bitter opposition to the zealous 
Calvinistic preachers and friends of the great revivals of that 
day. 

E. These Sabbath-day houses were small buildings erected 
near the meeting house, for the convenience and comfort of the 
pro] where they could warm themselves in the winter, 

previous to taking their cold seats in the house of God; and 
where they could pass the intermission, eat their lunch, arr. 
their dress, and do whatever became the sacred day. Generally 
two or more families united in erecting and occupying the same 
house. 

P. Mr. STORES was a native of Mansfield, Conn., and was 
born Dec. 2". 1785, of a reputable family. He was a graduate of 
in 1760. At the same Institution, and also at Har- 
vard, he received the degree of A. M. He married the widow 
FrEEGRACE Li:. wit of Somers, Conn. They had no 
children. After his death Mrs. Storrs married Rev. Joseph 
Bellamy, D.D. of Bethlem, Conn., with whom she lived but a 

short time, when she returned to Plymouth, to spend the re- 
mainder of hex life. u Madam Bellamy," as she was called 
. that time, was a woman of greal dignity and stately po- 
litem tperior mind and Btrongly marked character. Ber 

remain- lie interred by the side of Mr. STORRS', with this in- 
scription on her monument 

red 
t" the memory 
Mi>. A ni \n Bellamy 

i. i-ii Bellamy. 

* Sec Truinbi.:. 



36 

She had been the wife of 
three ministers, and departed 

this life July 15, 1806, 
in the 75th year of her age. 

Let me die the death of the righteous, 
and let my last end be like his. 

G. The settlement voted Mr. Stores was 180 pounds, to be 
paid in two years, one-half each year. The salary was to be 60 
pounds a year for the first two years, and after that 70 pounds 
annually. 80 pounds of the settlement, 20 pounds of the salary 
for the first two years, and after that 30 pounds of the salary 
annually, were to be paid in cash : the remainder was to be paid 
in wheat, rye, and Indian corn, in January, at the market price, 
" allowing the expense of transport to market, not exceeding in 
distance New Haven, Middletown, or Hartford." They were 
also to furnish him a full supply of fire- wood, and give him 
" two day's- work per man, per year, for two years," in addition 
to his settlement. 

H. There is a large monument marking its place, with this 
inscription in clear characters. 

In Memory of the Rev. 

Andrew Storrs, 

who fell asleep (as we suppose) in Jesus 

on the 2nd of March, A.D. 1785, 

in the 50th year of his age, 

and 20th of his ministry. 

He was sound in the faith, Fervent in Prayer, 

An accomplished preacher, 

of a most amiable candid Temper, 

Great stability and singular Prudence, 

Grave in his Deportment, eminent for piety, 

Abounding in Benevolence and Hospitality, 

Resignation and all the social virtues. 

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. 

Think what the Christian Preacher, friend, shou'd be, 
You've then his character, for such was He. 

I. Mr. Waterman was born in Norwich, Conn., Jan. 3, 1737. 
He was graduated at Yale College in 1759, one year earlier than 
Mr. Storrs. He was united in marriage, July 26, 1764, to 



07 

Eunice Hall, daughter of Col. BENJAMIN Hall of Cheshire, 
Conn. She was born June 24, 1742. They had several chil- 
dren. The names, births, marriages and deaths, so far as ascer- 
tained, were as follow s. 

Benjamin Hall, born Aug. S, 1766,; died Oct, 16, 177S. 

EUNICE Hall, born Nov. 2' She married SYLVESTER 

WELLES, M.D., of Berlin, Conn., afterwards of Hartford Died 
Feb. 22. 1 

Josh ['a Doolittle, bom March 8, 1771, died Nov. 8. 1783. 

AMANDA, born Jan. 8, 1773. She married AABON Smith, 
of Litchfield, Conn. Died Sept. 18. 1839; 

Philomela, born Aug. 16, 1776. She married Benjamin 
WEIGHT, Esq., who settled in Koine, N. Y., and became a dis- 
tinguished engineer. 

ICabY, She married WALTEB D. Smith, Esq., of Berlin, Conn., 
born March 17, 177'.'. Died Sept 5, L805. 

SlMON, He married MlLLEGENT RlLEY of Berlin, Conn., born 
22, L78L Died Sept. 7, 1813. 

Josh la Doolittle, named after the brother who died, born 
March 11, 1784 

TL all born before Mr. WaTEBMAN came to Plymouth. 

All but the youngest son are dead, lie was never married: 
now lives in New Fork city. 

Mxa Watebman was a fine looking and accomplished woman, 

and • highly esteemed. Her remains li<- in our burying- 

ground by the side of her husband. This inscription is on her 

i 

Beneath these clods lieth 

the perishable part of 
Mrs. Eunice Watebman, 

the amiable consort of 

Rev. Simon WATEBMAN : 

her immortal spirit 

left this world in hopes 

of being in a better, 
March l". L818, 
in the 75th year 
of her ; 
M . • all slumber in the ground, 

• trumpet's joyful Bound, 
bains with sweet surj i 

And in my Saviour's in.. 



38 

J. The church in Wallingford of which Mr. W. was the pas- 
tor, was one of the "Separatist" churches, that grew up in con- 
sequence of the opposition of many of the old churches and 
their pastors to the Great Eevivals of 1740 and following — the 
]New Light and more zealous party going off from their brethren, 
and establishing churches of their own. This in Wallingford 
had permission to worship by themselves in 1759; and Mr. 
Waterman, their first pastor, was ordained over them Oct. 7, 
1761. He was dismissed June 7, 1787. The reason of his 
leaving them, as given on their Kecords, was the declaration of 
the society that they were unable to support him. 

K. I do not find that any settlement was voted Mr. Water- 
man". His salary was to be»85 pounds lawful money, predicated 
upon gold and silver coins, silver at 6 shillings and 8 pence per 
ounce, and gold at 5 shillings and 4 pence per pennyweight : 
one-half to be paid in cash, the other half in pork, beef, wheat, 
rye, or Indian corn, at the current cash price. He was also to 
be furnished with 30 cords of good fire-wood. The vote to. pay 
this salary was preceded by the following preamble, "And 
whereas we consider it a Christian duty to afford a Gospel Min- 
ister a decent and comfortable support," &c. 

L. The house in which Mr. Waterman resided was in the 
south street — that in which the widow of Mr. Stephen T. Tal- 
mage has resided for many years. 

M. There is a plain slab by his grave, with this short and 
simple inscription. 

In 

Memory of the 

Eev. Simon Waterman, 

born Jan. 3, 1736-7, 

died Nov. 19, 1813. 

N". Those who wish for further particulars concerning Mr. 
Hart's birth, parentage, marriage, &c, are referred to the dis- 
course preached at his funeral, and published ; to the inscrip- 
tion on his monument, copied in this appendix; and to the 
forthcoming work of Dr. Sprague of Albany, entitled, "Lights 
of the American Pulpit." 






39 

O. The salary voted Mr. Hart was $500 annually. In addi- 
tion to this, individuals made up, and paid over to him at his 
settlement, a sum estimated as equal to SI 00 per year, paid an- 
nually for 20 years. Fur two years previous to his death the 
Society raised his annual salary to $600. 

P. A large and handsome monument was erected over his 

grave by his people, with the following inscription, written by 

Prof. JAMES L. KiNGSLEY of Yale College. 

Rev. Luther IIakt. 

Born at Goshen, July 27, 1733; 

Ordained at Plymouth, Sept. 5, 1810; 

Died April 25, 1 6 

At a Preacher, 

he was 

Discriminating in Doctrine, 

Vivid in Illustration, 

Pungent in Application : 

As a Pastor, 

Watchful, active, and faithful in Reproof, 

Yet rejoicing rather 

To bind up the broken-hearted : 

A mong the Clergy, 

Wise in Counsel, 

Efficient in Action: 

In the common Relation* of L 

Affectionate and Modest, 

Respected and Beloved. 

Q, Braving the charge of egotism, f ; »r the Bake of saving oth- 

bave experienced In collecting like data. I will 

place lb Goshen, Conn. 1 was born June '•>, 

tine year in which my Immediate predeo 

settled. My par Ebastus and Ahk.au. i. both 

nath i roflhen, My father is a descendant of Dea M«»- 

who removed to Goshen from Northampton about 

luate of Yale College in L882, and 

Seminary in that Institution in L835. M\ P 

hup. .mii the rival there during the winter 

ipru •• which tin.' LOO of my fel!..\. 

came hopefully pious. On the 2nd of Octoh 



40 

I was united in marriage to Miss Hannah D. Eichards, third 
and youngest daughter of Peter and Ann C. Eichards of New 



ondon, Conn. Our children are, 






Lucy Deforest, born Jan. 


15, 1841. 


Ann Eliza, " 


Nov 


. 24, 1842 


George Eichards, " 


Dec. 


27, 1844. 


Ellen Hart, " 


Feb. 


14, 1847. 


Frederick Wolcott, " 


June 18, 1849. 


Hart, " 


Dec. 


8, 1851. 



They were all born in Plymouth, and in the same house. It 
may be a fact worthy of record also, that from the dismission of 
Mr. Todd in 1764, till the birth of our oldest child in 1841, but 
one child, the son of Mr. Hart, had been born in all the minis- 
ters families in this parish during the time of their settlement 
here. 

E. The salary voted me was $700: and I take pleasure in 
stating, that this has been paid regularly from year to year : and 
not an unpleasant word has passed between me and my Society 
from the first in regard to my support. 



FAREWELL DISCOURSE 



S E R 31 I 



PR i: A C II ED IN 1' L V M G T II. Cos ». 



June § , 1 § 5 1 



AT THE CLOSE OF His MINISTRY 



FIRST CONGREGATION AI SOCIETY, 



E I' II R A I M L Y M A V 



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